Background of the Invention
[0001] The invention relates to oral brushes and bristles for use in oral brushes.
[0002] Most humans suffer from tooth decay and/or gingivitis caused by bacteria in the mouth.
As a result, decreasing the amount of plaque in the mouth has long been the target
of persons working in the health care field. A common way of minimizing the plaque
in the mouth is to brush the teeth regularly.
[0003] However, the benefits of frequent brushing can be accompanied in some instances by
deleterious side effects such as irritation, abrasion and even recession of the gums.
These side effects may, in part, result from excessive stiffness and/or sharpness
of the toothbrush bristles.
[0004] Another common way of improving oral health is by massaging the gums to stimulate
the gingival tissue. Conventional toothbrushes tend to have limited effectiveness
for gum-massaging, and thus often a separate gum-massaging procedure, using a gum-massaging
tool, is required to ensure good oral health.
[0005] Endeavors have been made to reduce gum irritation and/or provide a gum-massaging
effect by replacing some or all of the toothbrush bristles with rubber or synthetic
rubber pins. See, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,288,883, and also JP-A-5123222 which discloses
bristles made of rubber coated hairs, the rubber also imparting bending resistance
to the hairs. US-A-4 263 691 discloses a footh brush comprising bristles made of elastomer.
Summary of the Invention
[0006] The invention features improved gum-massaging oral brushes which provide good comfort
and gum stimulation while also providing good cleaning of the teeth. The invention
also features bristles for use in gum-massaging oral brushes.
[0007] In one aspect, the invention features an oral brush including an elongated body,
a head portion extending from the body, and a brush portion including a plurality
of bristles formed of a thermoplastic elastomer extending from the body. The thermoplastic
elastomer preferably has a Shore A hardness of at least 30; is selected from the group
consisting of polyetheramides, polyesters, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block
copolymers, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-isoprene-styrene block
copolymers, polyurethanes, polyolefin elastomers, and mixtures thereof; and has a
flexural modulus of at least 5 MPa.
[0008] Preferred oral brushes further include a plurality of bristles formed of a non-elastomeric
material. In preferred embodiments, this material is selected from nylon, polyamides,
polyesters and polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT). The non-elastomeric bristles may include
additives to improve their cleaning ability, e.g., abrasives and polishing agents
such as clays, silicas, aluminas, calcium carbonate, calcium or magnesium phosphate
compounds, apatites, and mixtures thereof.
[0009] Preferred oral brushes also include a spacer attached to the base of the head portion.
The spacer is formed of a thermoplastic elaetomer and is integrally joined to the
bristles. Preferably the non-elastomeric bristles extend from the head portion through
the spacer.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention features an oral brush including a plurality of
bristles formed of a thermoplastic elastomer, and a plurality of bristles formed of
a polyphthalamide.
[0011] In another aspect, the invention features massaging the gums with one of the bristles
described previously.
[0012] An oral brush, as used herein, is any brush that includes a body having a brush portion
designed for insertion into the mouth. The brush portion, includes a plurality of
bristles extending therefrom and being dimensioned to be used to brush tooth surfaces.
[0013] In another aspect, the invention features an oral brush including multicomponent
bristles, preferably comprising a thermoplastic elastomer sheath surrounding a core
material comprising a non-elastomeric material or a thermoplastic elastomer having
a higher hardness than the thermoplastic elastomer sheath. The invention also features
methods of making multi-component bristles, e.g., by coextruding a plurality of polymers.
By "multicomponent", we mean that the bristles have two or more components; by "coextruded",
we mean that at least two of the components are present in the form of substantially
separate phases having a distinct interface between them, rather than being intermixed.
The bristles are preferably formed by processes which are referred to in the art as
"coextrusion" but the term, "multicomponent coextruded", as used herein, encompasses
bristles having the structure described above which are manufactured by other processes.
[0014] The term "thermoplastic elastomer" as used herein, refers to non-vulcanized, rubbery
polymeric materials which may be processed by conventional plastics processing methods
which are well known in the art, such as extrusion or injection molding.
[0015] In another aspect, the invention features an oral brush including a plurality of
bristles formed of a mixture including (a) a non-elastomeric polymer, such as a relatively
hard base resin, e.g., Nylon, polypropylene, or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and
(b) a thermoplastic elastomer such as a polyamide thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester
thermoplastic elastomer or other olefinic thermoplastic elastomers. In some embodiments
this mixture also contains additives such as compatibilizers, abrasives and plasticizers.
[0016] In yet another aspect of the invention, the invention features an oral brush including
a plurality of bristles formed of a mixture including (a) a non-elastomeric polymer
and (b) a soft (e.g., having a hardness of less than 90 Shore A) vulcanized rubber-type
polymer, such as natural rubber, crosslinked polybutadiene, crosslinked polyacrylates
and the like. In some embodiments this mixture also contains additives such as compatibilizers,
abrasives and plasticizers.
[0017] In accordance with the invention, there is provided an oral brush suitable for massaging
the gums, comprising: an elongated handle; a head portion, sized for insertion into
the human mouth, extending from an end of said handle; and a brush portion comprising
a plurality of bristles extending from the head portion, the first bristles comprising
a thermoplastic elastomer which is a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer,
a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, a styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer,
a polyolefin elastomer, or a mixture of any two or more of said elastomers, and having
a Shore A hardness of 30 or greater and a flexural modulus of at least 5 MPa, and
(b) a plurality of second bristles extending from the head portion comprising a non-elastomeric
material. Preferably, the thermoplastic elastomer has a flexural modulus of from about
5 to about 100 MPa. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the first bristles
have a diameter from about 30 to 100 mils. In another embodiment, the non-elastomeric
material is a polyamide, for example, nylon. In yet a further preferred embodiment,
the non-elastomeric material comprises an abrasive additive.
[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description
of the preferred embodiment thereof, and from the claims.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0019] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an oral brush.
[0020] Fig. 2 is a schematic top plan view of the head of an oral brush according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0021] Fig. 3 is a schematic top plan view of the head of an oral brush according to another
embodiment of the invention.
[0022] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of a coextruded bristle according to one embodiment
of the invention.
[0023] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a process according to one embodiment of the
invention for forming a coextruded filament.
[0024] Figs. 6 and 7 are perspective views of oral brushes having bristles molded to a spacer.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0025] Referring to Fig. 1, a toothbrush 10 includes a plastic body having a handle 12 and
a head 14 attached to a bristle portion 16.
[0026] The body of the toothbrush is formed by conventional methods well-known in the art.
The handle is shaped to be grasped by a hand, but alternatively can be shaped to fit
into an electric toothbrush. The configuration of the head can vary and may be rectangular,
oval, diamond-shaped, or any other shape, with bristles which are trimmed flat, serrated,
v-shaped, convex curved, or any other desired topography, as is well known in the
art. The shape and size of handle 12 and head 14 can vary and the axes of the handle
and head may be on the same or a different plane. It may be desired to provide a larger
head than is conventional, in order to provide extra room for the thermoplastic elastomer
bristles, while still retaining the standard number of nonelastomeric bristles.
[0027] Brush portion 16 includes a number of nonelastomeric bristles 18 and a number of
elastomeric bristles 20. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 2, the non-elastomeric bristles
extend from the central portion of the head 14 and the elastomeric bristles are disposed
around the outer perimeter of the head 14, surrounding the non-elastomeric bristles.
Another possible arrangement is shown in Fig. 3.
[0028] The non-elastomeric bristles are formed of tufts of individual filaments attached
to the head in manners known to the art. The elastomeric bristles are formed of tufts
of one or more filaments of thermoplastic elastomer. If a single filament is used
per tuft, the filament preferably has a diameter that is half that of a standard pre-cored
tuft hole, e.g., 33 mil for a 66-mil pre-cored hole, so that the filament can be folded
and staple tufted into the hole.
[0029] Alternatively, some or all of the bristles are formed of a mixture of elastomeric
and non-elastomeric polymers. The elastomeric material is selected from the group
consisting of thermoplastic elastomers and vulcanized rubber-type polymers. In both
cases, the ratio of the elastomer to the non-elastomeric material is preferably from
10:90-90:10. Preferred bristle diameters range from 3-100 mil (tapered or untapered),
depending on the mixture used and elastomer and non-elastomeric material chosen as
would be understood by one skilled in the art.
[0030] Suitable filaments formed of a blend of elastomeric and non-elastomeric include,
but are not limited to the following:
Composition |
Processing Temp |
Drawdown Ratio |
Diameter |
Bend Recovery |
30% Pebax 2533 |
250°C. |
4:1 |
8 mil |
95% |
70% Zytel 151L |
|
|
|
|
30% Pebax 2533 |
250°C. |
4:1 |
7 mil |
95% |
70% Zytel 151L |
|
|
|
|
[0031] Such a mixture can be compounded using standard processing procedures such as a single
screw or twin screw extruder or dry blending.
[0032] Suitable thermoplastic elastomers are those which have sufficient stiffness and hardness
for effective gum massage and to resist tearing and/or excessive wear during use,
while being sufficiently soft to provide comfort and avoid gum irritation during gum
massage. Suitable thermoplastic elastomers include polyetheramides, e.g., PEBAX polymers
(ELF Atochem); polyesters, e.g., HYTREL polymers (DuPont); styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene
block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-butadiene-styrene
block copolymers, and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers, e.g., KRATON rubbers
(Shell); polyurethanes, e.g., PELLETHANE polyurethanes (DOW); polyolefin elastomers,
e.g., SANTOPRENE elastomers (Advanced Elastomer Systems); and mixtures thereof. Poly(ether-amide)
block copolymers having the general formula
where PA=polyamide segment and PE=polyether segment, commercially available under
the tradename PEBAX polymers, are particularly preferred. Of these, a copolymer of
nylon 12 and poly(tetramethylene glycol) having the general formula
commercially available under the tradename PEBAX MX-1205 polymer is particularly
preferred. Another preferred thermoplastic elastomer comprises a blend of a polyamide
sold under the tradename PEBAX 2533 and a block copolymer sold under the tradename
KRATON G-6713, preferably containing about 90% of the polyamide and 10% of the block
copolymer. This blend provides good softness without tackiness or weakness.
[0033] If a relatively soft thermoplastic elastomer is used, a relatively large diameter
filament may be needed to provide sufficient durability and stiffness. Such large
diameter filaments preferably have a diameter less than about 200 mil, more preferably
30 to 100 mil. If a harder, stiffer thermoplastic elastomer is used, a smaller diameter
filament can be used. Generally, suitable thermoplastic elastomers will have a Shore
A hardness of at least 30, preferably from about 35 to 55 and a flexural modulus of
from about 5 to 100 MPa.
[0034] Suitable vulcanized rubber type polymers include, but are not limited to, natural
rubber, crosslinked polybutadiene, cross-linked polyacrylates, and blends thereof.
[0035] Non-elastomeric bristles 18 may be formed of any material suitable for use in toothbrush
bristles. Such materials can also be used as the non-elastomeric component of elastomeric
non-elastomeric blend bristles. Preferred materials include nylon 612 and other polyamides.
A preferred grade of nylon is available from Whiting Co., Burlington, VT under the
tradename WYTEX. Preferred polyamides include polyphthalamides sold by Amoco Performance
Products, Inc., under the tradename AMODEL resins. Such polyphthalamides are described
in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,603,166, 4,476,280, and 4,617,342, the disclosures of which
are incorporated herein by reference. A particularly preferred polyphthalamide is
a crystalline polyphthalamide formed by polymerization of terephthalic acid, isophthalic
acid and adipic acid with hexamethylene diamine. Other suitable filaments include
acetal resins, polyesters, fluoropolymers, polyacrylates, polysulfones and combinations
thereof. Preferred non-elastomeric filaments have a diameter of from about 3 to 10
mil.
[0036] In an alternate embodiment, the elastomeric bristles include a sheath 30 of thermoplastic
elastomer coextruded around a core 32 of a different material, as shown in cross-section
in Fig. 4. The sheath to core volume ratio may be from 95:5 to 5:95.
[0037] Preferably, the core material is a stiff polymer, allowing the outer sheath to be
softer and/or allowing the bristles to have smaller diameters than would otherwise
be possible (with a thermoplastic elastomer alone) due to the constraints of bristle
durability and strength. If desired the coextruded filaments can have standard bristle
diameters, e.g., 5-8 mil. Preferred filament diameters range from 5 to 65 mil, depending
on the application in which the bristle is to be used. Suitable core materials include
but are not limited to polyamides, e.g., nylons, and polyesters, e.g., PBT.
[0038] Preferred sheath materials include the thermoplastic elastomers discussed above.
Softer grades of these elastomers can be used when a stiff core is provided, e.g.,
the sheath material may have a hardness as low as 3 Shore A.
[0039] A suitable method for forming the coextruded filaments is shown in Fig. 5. As shown,
the two components are extruded through first and second extruders to form a filament,
after which the filament is passed through a water bath, and through a series of godets.
The filament is placed under light tension as it travels between two drawing godete
which are rotating at different speeds. The tension applied to the filament is expressed
as the "drawdown ratio", which is the speed differential between the two drawing godets.
Preferred drawdown ratios are from about 1.0 to 7.0. The filament then passes through
a relaxing godet and is collected on a take-up winder. Suitable coextruded filaments
include, but are not limited to, the following:
Composition (Sheath/Core) |
Volume Ratio |
Drawdown Rat. |
Diameter |
PEBAX MX1205/ Nylon 612 |
10:90 |
4:1 |
8 mil |
PEBAX MX1205/ Nylon 612 |
50:50 |
1:1 or 2:1 |
55 mil |
Blend of 90% PEBAX 2533 and |
10:90 |
4:1 |
8 mil |
10% DYNAFLEX |
or |
|
|
G6712/ Nylon 612 |
50:50 |
1:1 or 2:1 |
55 mil |
HYTREL 3078/ Nylon 612 |
10:90 or 50:50 |
4:1 1:1 or 2:1 |
8 mil 55 mil |
[0040] In an alternate embodiment, head portion 14 includes bristles 20 integrally joined
to spacer 40, which is attached to the base of head portion 14, as shown in Fig. 6.
Spacer 40 provides good adhesion of bristles 20 to head portion 14 and provides support
to bristles 18. The additional support provided by spacer 40 stiffens bristles 18
by decreasing the effective length of the bristles, which allows the incorporation
of bristles having smaller diameters that more easily penetrate the interstitial regions
of the mouth into the toothbrush. Bristles 18 extend from head portion 14 through
spacer 40. Spacer 40 is formed of the elastomeric materials listed above and can be
formed of the same elastomeric material as used to form the elastomeric bristles 20.
Spacer 40 and elastomeric bristles 20 at the perimeter of head portion 14 can be molded
as one unit. If the bristles 20 and spacer 40 are molded as one unit, their diameter
is preferably from about 4 mil to about 200 mil. Elastomeric bristles 20 can extend
at angles from spacer 40.
[0041] Alternatively, spacer 40 can be recessed into head 14 such that the bristle receiving
surface 46 of spacer 40 is substantially contiguous with surface 44 of head portion
14, as shown in Fig. 7.
[0042] Other embodiments are within the claims. For example, if desired, all of the bristles
may be formed of thermoplastic elastomer material. The bristles may be formed of a
blend of thermoplastic elastomers. Moreover, the oral brush may include elastomeric
bristles having different relative compositions, e.g., some of the bristles are formed
of a first-thermoplastic elastomer or blend of elastomers and other bristles are formed
of a different thermoplastic elastomer or blend. Further, the elastomeric bristles
may include other polymers, e.g., plasticizers such as oils, waxes or resins to increase
softness, or additives, e.g., fillers, antioxidants, UV stabilizers, and abrasives
or polishing agents. Suitable polishing agents include particles of plastic, particles
of walnut shells, particles of hardwood, particles of corn cob, particles of rubber,
calcium carbonate, aragonite clay, orthorhombic clays, calcite clay, rhombohedral
clays, kaolin clay, bentonite clay, dicalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate anhydrous,
dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, insoluble
sodium metaphosphate, precipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium orthophosphate, trimagnesium
phosphate, hydroxyapatites, synthetic apatites, alumina, hydrated alumina, hydrated
silica xerogel, metal aluminosilicate complexes, sodium aluminum silicates, zirconium
silicate, silicon dioxide, and combinations thereof.
1. An oral brush (10) suitable for massaging the gums, comprising:
an elongated handle (12);
a head portion (14), sized for insertion into the human mouth, extending from an end
of said handle (12); and a brush portion (16) comprising a plurality of bristles extending
from said head portion (14), characterized in that said plurality of bristles, comprises:
(a) a plurality of first bristles (20) extending from said head portion (14), said
first bristles (20) comprising a thermoplastic elastomer which is a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene
block copolymer, a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, a styrene-isoprene-styrene
block copolymer, a polyolefin elastomer, or a mixture of any two or more of said elastomers,
and having a Shore A hardness of 30 or greater and a flexural modulus of at least
5 MPa and (b) a plurality of second bristles (18) extending from said head portion
(14) comprising a non-elastomeric material.
2. The oral brush (10) of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene
block copolymer, a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, a styrene-isoprene-styrene
block copolymer, or a mixture of any two or more of said elastomers.
3. The oral brush (10) according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of first bristles
(20) comprises a thermoplastic elastomer having a Shore A hardness of 35 to 55, and
said thermoplastic elastomer comprises styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene block copolymer.
4. The oral brush (10) of any of claims 1-3, wherein said thermoplastic elastomer is
sufficiently soft so as to avoid gum irritation during gum massage.
5. The oral brush (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein said non-elastomeric material
is a polyamide, for example, nylon.
6. The oral brush (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein said thermoplastic elastomer
has a flexural modulus of from about 5 to 100 MPa.
7. The oral brush (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein said non-elastomeric material
comprises an abrasive additive.
8. The oral brush (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein said first bristles (20)
have a diameter of from about 30 to 100 mils.
1. Mundbürste (10) zum Massieren des Zahnfleischs, wobei die Bürste folgendes umfasst:
ein elongiertes Handstück (12)
ein Kopfstück (14), das zur Einführung in den menschlichen Mund bemessen ist, wobei
es sich von einem Ende des genannten Kopfstücks (12) erstreckt; und mit einem Bürstenteilstück
(16), das eine Mehrzahl von Borsten umfasst, die sich von dem genannten Kopfstück
(14) erstrecken, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte Mehrzahl von Borsten folgendes umfasst:
(a) eine Mehrzahl erster Borsten (20), die sich von dem genannten Kopfstück (14) erstrecken,
wobei die genannten ersten Borsten (20) ein thermoplastisches Elastomer umfassen,
bei dem es sich um ein Styrol-Ethylen-Butylen-Styrol-Blockcopolymer, ein Styrol-Butadien-Styrol-Blockcopolymer,
ein Styrol-Isopren-Styrol-Blockcopolymer, ein Polyolefin-Elastomer oder eine Mischung
aus zwei oder mehreren der genannten Elastomere handelt, und mit einer Shore-A-Härte
von 30 oder höher und mit einem Elastizitätsmodul von mindestens 5 MPa und (b) eine
Mehrzahl zweiter Borsten (18), die sich von dem genannten Kopfstück (14) erstrecken
und ein nicht-elastomeres Material umfassen.
2. Mundbürste (10) nach Anspruch 1, wobei es sich bei dem thermoplastischen Elastomer
um ein Styrol-Ethylen-Butylen-Styrol-Blockcopolymer, ein Styrol-Butadien-Styrol-Blockcopolymer,
ein Styrol-Isopren-Styrol-Blockcopolymer oder eine Mischung aus zwei oder mehreren
der genannten Elastomere handelt.
3. Mündbürste (10) nach Anspruch 2, wobei die genannte Mehrzahl erster Borsten (20) ein
thermplastisches Elastomer mit einer Shore-A-Härte von 35 bis 55 handelt, und wobei
das genannte thermoplastische Elastomer ein Styrol-Ethylen-Butylen-Styrol-Blockcopolymer
umfasst.
4. Mündbürste (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei das thermoplastische Elastomer
ausreichend weich ist, so dass Zahnfleischreizungen während der Zahnfleischmassage
vermieden werden.
5. Mündbürste (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei es sich bei dem genannten
nicht-elastomeren Material um ein Polyamid wie zum Beispiel Nylon handelt.
6. Mündbürste (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei das genannte thermoplastische
Elastomer einen Elastizitätsmodul von etwa 5 bis 100 MPa aufweist.
7. Mündbürste (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei das genannte nicht-elastomere
Material einen abrasiven Zusatzstoff umfasst.
8. Mündbürste (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die genannten ersten
Borsten (20) einen Durchmesser von etwa 30 bis 100 Milliinch aufweisen.
1. Brosse buccale (10) appropriée pour le massage des gencives, comprenant :
un manche allongé (12) ;
une partie de tête (14) dimensionnée pour être insérée dans la bouche d'un être humain,
s'étendant à partir d'une extrémité dudit manche (12) ; et une partie de brosse (16)
comprenant de nombreux poils s'étendant à partir de ladite partie de tête (14), caractérisée en ce que lesdits nombreux poils comprennent :
(a) de nombreux premiers poils (20) s'étendant à partir de ladite partie de tête (14),
lesdits premiers poils (20) comprenant un élastomère thermoplastique qui est un copolymère
séquencé de styrène-éthylène-butylène-styrène, un copolymère séquencé de styrène-butadiène-styrène,
un copolymère séquencé de styrène-isoprène-styrène, un élastomère de polyoléfine ou
un mélange de deux ou plusieurs desdits élastomères, et ayant une dureté Shore A de
30 ou supérieure et un module de flexion d'au moins 5 MPa et (b) de nombreux seconds
poils (18) s'étendant à partir de ladite partie de tête (14) comprenant un matériau
non élastomère.
2. Brosse buccale (10) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'élastomère thermoplastique
est un copolymère séquencé de styrène-éthylène-butylène-styrène, un copolymère séquencé
de styrène-butadiène-styrène, un copolymère séquence de styrène-isoprène-styrène ou
un mélange de deux ou plusieurs desdits élastomères.
3. Brosse buccale (10) selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle lesdits nombreux premiers
poils (20) comprennent un élastomère thermoplastique ayant une dureté Shore A de 35
à 55 et ledit élastomère thermoplastique comprend un copolymère séquencé de styrène-éthylène-butylène-styrène.
4. Brosse buccale (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1-3, dans laquelle ledit
élastomère thermoplastique est suffisamment souple pour éviter l'irritation des gencives
pendant le massage des gencives.
5. Brosse buccale (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle
ledit matériau non élastomère est un polyamide, par exemple du Nylon.
6. Brosse buccale (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle
ledit élastomère thermoplastique présenteun module de flexion d'environ 5 à 100 MPa.
7. Brosse buccale (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle
ledit matérïau non élastomère comprend un additif abrasif.
8. Brosse buccale (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle
lesdits premiers poils (20) présentent un diamètre compris entre environ 30 et 100
millièmes de pouce.